4 October 2016

Andalou Naturals Get Started Age Defying Kit

Andalou Naturals is one of my very favorite budget-friendly skincare brands. The company is committed to complete label transparency and was the first personal care line to achieve 100% Non-GMO Project Verification in 2011. I've dabbled with products from almost all of Andalou's skincare ranges and recently decided to give the anti-aging Age Defying line -- also recommended for dry and sensitive skin -- a more dedicated try with the Get Started Age Defying Kit. The Age Defy line features fruit stem cells as well as Andalou's BioActive 8 Berry Complex, a blend of organic superfruit antioxidants, and the kit includes trial sizes of the core products in the range: a cleanser, toner, mask, and two moisturizers. I'd already used two of the five products before and was happy to try them again, along with three new-to-me items.

Apricot Probiotic Cleansing MilkI used a full bottle of this cleanser a couple years ago and it's something I always planned to go back to. More of a thick cream consistency than a true milk, it's a super gentle, soap-free cleanser that's boosted with probiotic microflora to calm irritation and stimulate cell turnover. I also love how it smells -- like sweet and creamy peach/apricot yogurt. This cleanser is as good as I remember and is something I'll definitely rebuy in the future. Blossom + Leaf Toning RefresherThe toner, on the other hand, is the one product in the kit that I didn't enjoy at all. I've never used one of Andalou's toners before and I barely made it through a sixth of the small bottle before calling it quits on this one. It felt quite harsh and drying on my skin and, more than anything, seemed very out of place in the Age Defying range which is otherwise such a gentle line. I also wasn't a fan of the toner's strong herbal scent.Bioactive 8 Berry Fruit Enzyme MaskI don't generally think of Andalou skincare products as being super "active" or intense, so to be completely honest, I wasn't expecting much from the Fruit Enzyme Mask, but it ended up surprising me. The mask feels a little warm on the face initially and does an excellent job brightening and gently exfoliating the skin without ever feeling harsh or TOO strong. It has the consistency of thin jelly (and smells kind of like one too!) and leaves skin feeling baby soft. I'm not sure I'd commit to a full size immediately, simply because of how many masks I currently have, but, at a minimum, I'd pick it up in one of the Beauty2Go pods at some point.Super Goji Peptide Perfecting CreamThe Goji Perfecting Cream is the second product in the kit that I'd previously used. Made with goji glycopeptides, it's advertised to boost collagen and elastin production in the skin, thereby improving skin texture and minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. I used a full jar of this some time last year and while I can't say I noticed any significant difference in my fine lines, it's a good everyday moisturizer. The berry scent is sweet and fruity but not overpowering. Resveratrol Q10 Night Repair CreamThe Peptide Cream's slightly heavier counterpart, the Resveratrol Q10 Cream is recommended for nighttime use. The ingredients feature CoQ10, resveratrol and other antioxidants, and Andalou's product description again highlights anti-aging benefits including increased cell renewal, improved skin texture, and diminished fine lines and wrinkles. Again, I found it to be a good basic moisturizer, but it didn't blow me away. The Bottom LineAndalou's trial kits are a great way to get a feel for the company's skincare products without a big cost investment. The sizes are great for travel and are also substantial enough to get a decent feel for each product. I didn't love everything in the Age Defying Kit, but it sparked my love for the Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk again and reconfirmed my positive opinion of Andalou's moisturizers on the whole. I'm very happy to have discovered the Fruit Enzyme Mask too!